Cold reduction mill guide

ABSTRACT

A cold reduction mill guide includes a pair of workpiece guide members which are mounted on a frame and hydraulically movable to adjust the width of a passage through which a metal workpiece passes. The frame includes a base plate and two spaced elongated projections extending upwardly therefrom atop which the guide members are slidably movable. Two hydraulic actuators for respectively moving the guide members are disposed below the base plate. A translating assembly is mounted on each guide member and the extendable member of each actuator to translate movement to the guide members. The base plate defines two openings for movably receiving portions of the respective translating assemblies. Each translating assembly includes a support member on which a respective guide member is mounted and a translating member mounted on the respective support member and extendable member. Each support member slidably engages guide bars on the frame projections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates generally to a cold reduction mill used for reducing the thickness of a metal workpiece. More particularly, the invention relates to a mill guide for guiding the workpiece through the work rolls of the cold reduction mill. Specifically, the invention relates to such a mill guide which is hydraulically operated.

2. Background Information

As well-known in the art, cold reduction mills are used to reduce the thickness of a metal workpiece. Typically, this involves a series of work rolls which sequentially reduce the thickness of the workpiece in several stages. Guides are used to ensure that the workpieces are properly positioned as it moves through the work rolls. Because workpieces may come in a variety of initial widths, the guides typically include a pair of guide members which are adjustable to set the width therebetween which is suitable to the width of a given workpiece passing between the guide members. However, such guides are overly complicated and involve a relatively large number of parts which are susceptible to wear or breakage. In addition, these guides tend to jam due to misalignment or being cocked during movement. Unfortunately, this translates to a substantial amount of downtime related to a non-functioning guide. The mill guide of the present invention is configured to solve these and other problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cold reduction mill guide comprising: first and second workpiece guide members defining therebetween a workpiece passage having a selectively adjustable width; at least one of the guide members being selectively movable to adjust the width of the passage; and a hydraulic assembly for selectively moving the at least one guide member to adjust the width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a cold reduction mill with which three of the mill guides of the present invention are used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mill guide of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the mill guide.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the mill guide.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the mill guide.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged sectional view of the encircled portion of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3 showing the guide members of the mill guide moved to a position wherein the guide members are spaced further apart than the position shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view similar to FIG. 4 showing the hydraulic assemblies moved to a position corresponding to the position of the guide members in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7 and is similar to FIG. 6.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The cold reduction mill guide of the present invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1-6. With reference to FIG. 1, guide 10 is used with a cold reduction mill 12 in the thickness reduction of a metal workpiece 14 which moves in a lengthwise direction of workpiece 14 corresponding to a longitudinal direction of mill 12, as indicated by Arrow A. More particularly, workpiece 14 moves in the direction indicated by Arrow A between a series of work rolls 16 and backup rolls 18. The series of work rolls 16 and backup rolls 18 includes four sets thereof whereby as workpiece 14 passes through each set of work rolls, the thickness of workpiece 14 is reduced and the width of workpiece 14 is increased.

In accordance with a feature of the invention and with reference to FIGS. 2-3, mill guide 10 includes first and second guide members 20 and 22 which are hydraulically adjustable toward and away from one another in order to adjust a width of a workpiece passage 24 defined therebetween. The width of workpiece passage 24 is set at a first width W1 (FIG. 3) for a first workpiece 14A having a width W2 (FIG. 3). Guide members 20 and 22 and the hydraulic operation thereof are detailed further below.

In short, with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, first and second piston-cylinder combinations 142 and 144 are extended and retracted to move first and second guide members 20 and 22 via first and second translating assemblies 114 and 124. First translating assembly 114 includes a first support member 90 on which first guide member 20 is mounted, a first translating member 116 mounted on support member 90 and a mounting member 118 mounted on translating member 116 and a movable end of first piston-cylinder combination 142. Likewise, second translating assembly 124 includes a second support member 92 on which second guide member 22 is mounted, a second translating member 126 mounted on second support member 92 and a second mounting member 128 mounted on second translating member 126 and a movable end of second piston-cylinder combination 144.

With reference to FIGS. 2-3, mill guide 10 includes a frame 26 having an entry end 30 and an exit end 28 opposed thereto whereby workpiece 14A moves in a downstream fashion from entry end 30 toward exit end 28. Frame 26 has a longitudinal direction extending between entry and exit ends 30 and 28 which is disposed in the longitudinal direction of mill 12 when guide 10 is mounted thereon. Frame 26 is a rigid structure which is typically formed of welded steel or other suitable metal or other rigid structure. Frame 26 further has first and a second opposed sides 32 and 34 with an axial direction of frame 26 extending from first side 32 to second side 34. Mill guide 10 has a first half H1 (FIG. 3) in the axial direction and a second half H2 in the axial direction on either side of a longitudinally extending vertical plane A centrally located between sides 32 and 34.

Frame 26 includes a base 36 which includes a substantially horizontal base plate 38. Base plate 38 has an upper surface 41 and a lower surface 43 (FIG. 4). Base plate 38 also defines first and second openings 37 and 39 each of which is elongated in the axial direction (FIG. 4). Openings 37 and 39 extend respectively from adjacent second side 34 and first side 32 of frame 26 approximately halfway across base plate 38 in the axial direction, as is best shown in FIG. 6 with regard to first opening 37. Frame 26 further includes a first projection 40 in the form of a cross member extending upwardly from base plate 38 adjacent exit end 28 and a second projection 42 in the form of a cross member spaced from first projection 40 and extending upwardly from base plate 38 adjacent entry end 30. Base 36 further includes first and second side walls 44 and 46 which are substantially vertically oriented and are disposed respectively adjacent first and second sides 32 and 34. Base 36 further includes an end wall 48 which is substantially vertically oriented and extends between first and second side walls 44 and 46 adjacent entry end 30 of frame 26. Each of first and second side walls 44 and 46 and end wall 48 are connected to and extend downwardly from base plate 38. Base 36 further includes a pair of mounting structures 50 disposed respectively below first and second side walls 44 and 46 and each defining a slot 52 for receiving a frame member 54 of mill 12 whereby mill guide 10 is mounted on mill 12.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2-4, first projection 40 includes an upwardly extending member 56 mounted atop base plate 38 and a top plate 58 mounted atop member 56. Upwardly extending member 56 defines an axially-elongated and substantially horizontal slot 60 which faces second projection 42 and extends from adjacent first side 32 to adjacent second side 34 of frame 26. Top plate 58 defines a substantially flat and substantially horizontal upper surface 62 over which extend portions of first and second guide members 20 and 22. Second projection 42 includes an upwardly extending member 64 which is mounted on and seated atop plate 38 of base 36. Second projection 42 further includes a top plate 66 seated atop member 64. Member 64 defines an axially-elongated and substantially horizontal slot 68 which faces first projection 40 and extends from adjacent first side 32 to adjacent second side 34 of frame 26. Top plate 66 has an axially-elongated and substantially horizontal upper surface 70 extending from adjacent first side 32 to adjacent second side 34 of frame 26. Portions of first and second guide members 20 and 22 extend over upper surface 70, which is at substantially the same height as upper surface 62 of first projection 40.

Frame 26 further includes a first axially-elongated guide bar 72 which is removably mounted on first projection 40 within slot 60 of member 56. Frame 26 further includes a first lower guide bar 74 removably mounted on base plate 38 adjacent upwardly extending member 56 of first projection 40. Frame 26 further includes a second axially-elongated upper guide bar 76 removably mounted on second projection 42 within slot 68 of upwardly extending member 64. Frame 26 further includes a second axially-elongated lower guide bar 78 removably mounted on base plate 38 adjacent member 64 of second projection 42. Guide bars 72, 74, 76 and 78 are typically formed of a material such as stainless steel which is softer than the material from which the remainder of frame 26 is formed whereby said guide bars serve as wear members due to slidable engagement therewith as detailed further below. Thus, each is removable for replacement. Additional guide bars may be included, for instance, a pair of guide bars wherein one is mounted along top plate 58 above guide bars 72 and 74 in opposed relation bar 74 and another is mounted along top plate 66 above guide bars 76 and 78 in opposed relation to bar 78.

Each of first and second guide members 20 and 22 include a structural member 80, a lateral wear member 82 mounted inwardly thereof and a pair of lower wear members 84 mounted inwardly of wear members 82. Each of members 80, 82 and 84 are longitudinally-elongated whereby a portion of each is slidably disposed above top plate 58 of first projection 40 and a portion of each is slidably disposed above top plate 66 of second projection 42. Lateral wear members 82 have respective inner guide surfaces 86 which face one another and define therebetween width W1 (FIG. 3). Lateral wear members 82 are removably mounted on respective structural members 80 so that members 82 may be removed and replaced when worn by workpiece 14A moving through workpiece passage 24. Lower wear members 84 have respective upper surfaces 88 which workpiece 14A slidably engages as it moves through passage 24. Lower wear members 84 are similarly removably mounted for removal and replacement when sufficiently worn by engagement with workpiece 14. Lower wear members 84 are typically formed of wood although other suitable materials may be used. First and second guide members 20 and 22 are axially movable above upper surfaces 62 and 70 of projections 40 and 42 whereby guide members 20 and 22 are movable to adjust the width of passage 24.

First and second guide members 20 and 22 are mounted respectively on first and second support members 90 and 92 wherein each support member 90 and 92 is disposed below the respective guide member, above base plate 38 and between first and second projections 40 and 42. Each of support members 90 and 92 define a downwardly opening translation passage 94. First support member 90 is longitudinally-elongated between a first end 96 and a second end 98 opposed thereto. Second support member 92 is likewise longitudinally elongated between a first end 100 and a second end 102. First support member 90 defines a slot 104 adjacent first end 96 thereof wherein slot 104 faces slot 60 of first projection 40 and receives first upper guide bar 72 which support member 90 slidably engages during axial movement of member 90. Similarly, support member 90 defines another slot 106 (FIG. 5) adjacent second end 98 thereof wherein slot 106 faces slot 68 of second projection 42 and receives therein second upper guide bar 76 which support member 90 slidably engages during axial movement thereof (FIGS. 5 and 5A).

Second support member 92 forms slots which are analogous to slots 104 and 106 of first support member 90 and function in the same manner as slots 104 and 106. One of these slots which is formed in second support member 92 adjacent first end 100 thereof is indicated at 108. The other slot is not shown but is substantially the same as slot 106 of first support member 90 and may be represented thereby. Thus, second support member 92 slidably engages each of upper guide bars 72 and 76 within these analogous slots during axial movement of support member 92.

First and second support members 90 and 92 also slidably engage lower guide bars 74 and 78 during axial movement of members 90 and 92. First and second stop blocks 110 and 112 are mounted on frame 26 to limit axial travel of first and second support members 90 and 92.

First translating member 116 is rigidly mounted on first support member 90 and first mounting member 118 is rigidly mounted on first translating member 116. First translating member 116 has a first end 120 and a second end 122 (FIG. 3) between which first translating member 116 is axially elongated. Translating member 116 is mounted adjacent first end 120 to first support member 90 and adjacent second end 122 to first mounting member 118. Likewise, translating member 126 has a first end adjacent which it is rigidly mounted on second support member 92 and a second end adjacent which it is rigidly mounted on second mounting member 128. Second translating member 126 is axially elongated between first and second ends 130 and 132.

First mounting member 118 extends downwardly from first translating member 116 through first elongated opening 37 of base plate 38. Likewise, second mounting member 128 extends downwardly from second translating member 126 through second elongated opening 39 in base plate 38. With reference to FIG. 6, first mounting member 118 includes a base portion 134 including a laterally extending shelf 136 with a substantially flat and substantially horizontal upper surface 138 on which a portion of first translating member 116 adjacent second end 122 is seated. First mounting member 118 further includes a finger 140 extending upwardly from base 134 and abutting second end 122 of translating member 116. Although the details are not shown, second mounting member 128 has the same configuration as first mounting member 118 and serves the same purpose with respect to second translating assembly 124.

In accordance with a feature of the invention and with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, mill guide 10 includes a hydraulic assembly comprising first and second hydraulic actuators in the form of piston-cylinder combinations 142 and 144. In the preferred embodiment, one of piston-cylinder combinations 142 and 144 serves as the master and the other serves as the slave. Preferably, combinations 142 and 144 are controlled respectively via a pair of independent proportional valves (not shown). Piston-cylinder combinations 142 and 144 have respective first and second ends 146 and 148 with each combination 146 and 148 being axially elongated therebetween respectively. First ends 146 are non-extending while second ends 148 are extendable and retractable. Each combination 142 and 144 includes a non-extending member in the form of a cylinder 150 and an extendable-retractable member in the form of a piston 152. Each combination 142 and 144 is pivotally mounted adjacent respective first ends 146 to frame 26 via a mounting member 154 extending downwardly from base plate 38. Each combination 142 and 144 is likewise pivotally mounted adjacent respective second ends 148 thereof respectively to first mounting member 118 and second mounting member 128. Thus, as best seen in FIG. 6, piston-cylinder combination 142 is disposed below base plate 38 of frame 26 with first mounting member 118 extending upwardly from adjacent second extendable and retractable end 148 of combination 142 through first elongated opening 37 of base plate 38 with first translating member 116 being disposed above base plate 38 and extending axially from first mounting member 118 back over piston cylinder combination 142 toward first end 146 thereof with first support member 90 connected to first translating member 116 whereby support member 90 is disposed above cylinder 150. Thus, support member 90 and first guide member 20 have an axial path of travel within first half H1 of mill guide 10. Due to the reverse orientation of piston-cylinder combination 144 with respect to combination 142 and the associated translating assembly 124, second guide member 22 and second support member 92 have a path of travel within second half H2 of mill guide 10.

Linear transducer assemblies 156 are mounted respectively on piston-cylinder combinations 142 and 144. More particularly, linear transducers 158 are housed respectively within cylinders 160 of respective air cylinder assemblies 162 which include respective pistons 164. Air cylinder assemblies 162 are not pressurized, but are used solely to provide protection to the respective linear transducers 158 within the environment of cold reduction mill 12.

In operation, guide members 20 and 22 are movable along their respective paths of travel between a first position represented in FIGS. 2-4 and 6 to a second position represented in FIGS. 7-9. These first and second positions are simply representations and do not indicate how narrow or how wide the width of passage 24 may be. In the second position, passage 24 has a width W3 which is wider than width W1 (FIG. 3) of the first position.

In accordance with the invention, first and second piston cylinder combinations 142 and 144 are operated to move first and second guide members 20 and 22 between these positions. In particular, the first position accommodates first workpiece 14A (FIGS. 2, 3 and 6) and the second position accommodates a second workpiece 14B (FIGS. 7 and 9) having a width W4 which is wider than width W2 (FIG. 3) of first workpiece 14A. Piston-cylinder combinations 142 and 144 are operated generally to extend or retract pistons 152 and in particular are operated to retract said pistons 152 as indicated by Arrows C in FIGS. 8 and 9 in order to move guide members 20 and 22 outwardly as indicated by Arrows D in FIGS. 7 and 9 to widen the width of passage 24 to accommodate second workpiece 14B. Thus, to narrow the width of passage 24, pistons 152 are extended. Each of first and second support members 90 and 92 slidably engage guide bars 72, 74, 76 and 78 during adjustment of the width of workpiece passage 24. Said guide bars facilitate smooth movement of support members 90 and 92 to prevent mill guide 10 from jamming during the narrowing or widening of passage 24. Linear transducers 158 provide feedback of the degree of extension or retraction of pistons 152 in order to accurately position first and second guide members 20 and 22 in order to control the width of passage 24.

Thus, mill guide 10 provides a simple and efficient apparatus for adjusting the width of the workpiece passage for a workpiece traveling through the passage during operation of a cold reduction mill. Mill guide 10 eliminates a substantial number of parts in general in comparison with prior art guides and in particular eliminates a substantial number of moving parts. The configuration of mill guide 10 allows for linear movement or substantially linear movement of all parts which move in response to the hydraulic operation of the hydraulic assembly. More particularly, the operation of the piston-cylinder combinations causes the respective pistons to move in a linear direction which in turn causes the translating assembly and the guide members to move in the same linear direction. The only exception to all of these parts being in the same linear direction relates to the pivotal connection of each piston cylinder combination respectively to the frame and a respective translating assembly. However, these pivotal connections simply allow for minor variations in order to prevent jamming during operation. This linear or substantially linear movement facilitates smooth movement of the guide members. The sliding engagement of the support members along the various guide bars also facilitates smooth movement of the guide members.

It will be understood that a variety of changes may be made which are within the scope of the present invention. Primarily, the invention relates to a hydraulically operated mill guide and more particularly to such a guide wherein at least one piston cylinder combination or other actuator extends in the same direction as the movement of the guide members. Thus, if space is available, a piston-cylinder combination may be connected directly to the guide members in order to move them to adjust the width of the workpiece passage. However, for use with the typical cold reduction mill, such space is not readily available or the piston-cylinder combination would extend outwardly in an inconvenient location with respect to the cold reduction mill. Thus, the present invention utilizes a translating assembly which allows the moving end of the piston-cylinder combination to be generally on one side of the mill guide structure while the guide member which that moving end operates is located generally on the other half of the guide structure. Thus, the translating assembly extends back across the mill guide in the axial direction thereof in order to translate the movement of the extendable-retractable end of the piston-cylinder combination to the associated guide member for movement thereof. It will be appreciated that the translating assembly may be formed in multiple pieces or as an integrally formed one-piece unit. Depending on the particular configuration of the translating assembly, it may be easier to form it in a plurality of pieces as is shown in the drawings of the present embodiment. The guide members, support members, translating members and mounting members may all take a variety of configurations suited to the purpose. Similarly, the frame may have a variety of configurations. While the present embodiment shows four guide bars for guiding the support members, this number is certainly not required. Preferably, there are at least two guide bars wherein one is disposed generally on one end of the support members and another on the other end of the support members. However, it is contemplated that a single guide bar may be appropriately disposed for the purpose of facilitating smooth movement of the guide members. Other configurations will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. 

1. A cold reduction mill guide comprising: first and second workpiece guide members defining therebetween a workpiece passage having a selectively adjustable width; at least one of the guide members being selectively movable to adjust the width of the passage; and a hydraulic assembly for selectively moving the at least one guide member to adjust the width.
 2. The mill guide of claim 1 wherein the hydraulic assembly includes at least one hydraulic actuator for selectively moving the at least one guide member to adjust the width of the passage.
 3. The mill guide of claim 2 wherein a linear transducer is mounted on the at least one actuator for measuring a degree of extension of the at least one actuator and facilitate control of the width of the passage.
 4. The mill guide of claim 2 wherein the at least one actuator has an extendable-retractable member; wherein the at least one guide member is rigidly mounted on a movable translating assembly which is mounted on the extendable-retractable member whereby the translating assembly translates movement of the extendable-retractable member to the at least one guide member.
 5. The mill guide of claim 4 further including a frame having axial and longitudinal directions whereby the workpiece passage is adapted to accommodate a workpiece moving in the longitudinal direction; wherein the translating assembly includes a translating member and a support member on which the guide member is mounted; wherein the support member has first and second opposed ends between which it is elongated in the longitudinal direction; wherein the translating member has first and second ends between which it is elongated in the axial direction; wherein the translating member adjacent the first end thereof is connected to the support member and adjacent the second end thereof is mounted on the extendable-retractable member of the at least one actuator.
 6. The mill guide of claim 5 wherein the at least one actuator has a non-extending member which is mounted on the frame; and wherein the translating assembly extends from adjacent the second end of the translating member back over the actuator toward the non-extending member.
 7. The mill guide of claim 4 further including a frame comprising a base plate wherein the actuator is disposed below the base plate; and wherein the base plate defines an opening through which a portion of the translating assembly extends whereby said portion is movable within the opening in the axial direction.
 8. The mill guide of claim 4 further including a frame comprising a base and a pair of spaced projections extending upwardly therefrom; wherein the translating assembly includes a support member on which the guide member is mounted; and wherein the support member is disposed above the base between the projections.
 9. The mill guide of claim 8 wherein the support member slidably engages the frame adjacent each of the spaced projections.
 10. The mill guide of claim 9 wherein the frame includes at least one guide bar adjacent each of the spaced projections; and wherein the support member slidably engages the guide bars.
 11. The mill guide of claim 2 further including a frame having axial and longitudinal directions whereby the workpiece passage is adapted to accommodate a workpiece moving in the longitudinal direction; wherein the frame includes a base and a pair of spaced upwardly extending projections which are elongated in the axial direction; wherein the actuator is extendable and retractable in the axial direction to move the at least one guide member in the axial direction to adjust the width of the passage; wherein the at least one guide member is mounted on a support member which is disposed between the projections; and wherein respective portions of the at least one guide member are disposed over the projections.
 12. The mill guide of claim 11 wherein the actuator has an extendable end; wherein the support member and the at least one guide member are elongated in the longitudinal direction; wherein a translation member is elongated in the axial direction between first and second opposed ends; wherein the translation member is connected adjacent the first end thereof to the support member and mounted adjacent the second end thereof on the extendable end of the actuator.
 13. The mill guide of claim 2 wherein the guide member moves in a linear direction and the actuator extends and retracts in a linear direction which is substantially the same as the linear direction of the guide member movement.
 14. The mill guide of claim 1 further including a guide bar for guiding movement of the at least one guide member.
 15. The mill guide of claim 14 wherein the at least one guide member is slidably mounted on the guide bar.
 16. The mill guide of claim 2 wherein the mill guide includes a frame; wherein the actuator has an extendable end and an opposed non-extending end adjacent which it is mounted on the frame; and wherein the at least one guide member is spaced from the movable end of the actuator in a direction which is toward the non-extending end whereby the at least one guide member is distal the movable end.
 17. The mill guide of claim 16 wherein the at least one guide member has a path of travel offset from and substantially parallel to the actuator.
 18. The mill guide of claim 16 wherein the frame has axial and longitudinal directions whereby the workpiece passage is adapted to accommodate a workpiece moving in the longitudinal direction; wherein the frame has a first half in the axial direction; wherein the actuator is mounted adjacent the non-extending end thereof on the first half of the frame; and wherein the at least one guide member has a path of travel in the axial direction which is disposed along the first half of the frame.
 19. The mill guide of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second guide members is selectively movable to adjust the width of the passage.
 20. The mill guide of claim 19 wherein the hydraulic assembly includes first and second hydraulic actuators; wherein the first and second guide members are mounted respectively on first and second support members which are respectively mounted on first and second translating members for respectively translating movement of the first and second actuators to the first and second guide members to adjust the width of the passage; and wherein the first and second support members respectively define first and second translation passages for respectively receiving the second and first translating members. 